Washington, May 31 (FN Agency) The US State Department on Thursday imposed visa restrictions on five current and former Ugandan officials for their alleged involvement in corruption and human rights violations. “The Department of State is publicly designating five current and former Ugandan officials for their involvement in significant corruption or gross violations of human rights,” the statement said. Parliament Speaker Anita Among was included due to her alleged involvement in “significant corruption tied to her leadership of Uganda’s Parliament,” according to the statement.
Former Minister of Karamoja Affairs Mary Goretti Kitutu, former Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs Agnes Nandutu, and Minister of State for Finance Amos Lugolobi are being designated for “significant corruption related to conduct that misused public resources and diverted materials from Uganda’s neediest communities,” the State Department said. All four officials allegedly abused their public positions for their personal benefit. Additionally, the US is designating Peter Elwelu, former deputy chief of the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), in connection with “gross violations of human rights.” The State Department accuses Elwelu of involvement in extrajudicial killings that were committed by members of the UPDF at the time of his leadership. The US is also taking steps to impose visa restrictions on multiple other Ugandan officials for “undermining the democratic process and repressing members of marginalised or vulnerable populations in Uganda,” the statement added.